The ogres are dead. Silence creeps back to the heroes’ ears, staccato’d only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops pouring from the heavens. Searching over the bodies yields some interesting information: the blood that covered the ogres who breached the gate was that of a human, and there was more than enough of it to suggest that the wounds inflicted were fatal. Inspection of the rapier reveals a charred, primitive engraving of an arrow pointing away from the hilt. Couple that with a severed, tattooed human foot lodging between an ogre’s body and armor, and it becomes relatively clear that Kaven was the victim of the ogres’ brutality.
Jak and Shalelu come down from the tower and join the rest of the party on the parade grounds while Fyn Spellcrafts the various items that were looted from Jaagrath, Hookmaw, and Dorella Kreeg, along with the boots found in Lamatar’s cabinet. Trace comes out like a bandit, adding several layers of magical protection to his arsenal, while Fobias, Barnaby, and Krask each gain some additional benefits from their new items. Armored up, the party continues clearing out the rest of the Fort to verify that the ogres are completely vanquished.
The other buildings on the ground floor are empty save for the rubble caused by the destructive ogres. Having ruled out the main Fort as safe from threats, Krask leads the party through the tunnels to the top of the aerie. Cursory glances suggest that the only items of note in the nests are fractions of discarded eggshells. Jak mentions that the eagles were great allies of the Black Arrows, but they haven’t been seen since the ogres took over Fort Rannick. Perhaps the abundance of feathers strewn about the parade grounds would indicate to their location…
Krask is able to find a macabre necklace of women’s hands hidden underneath a particularly large pile of eggshells. There are a total of 22 rings dispersed amongst the hands, and Fyn detects that one of the pieces of jewelry is actually a ring of animal friendship. Hoping to spread the natural gifts around in the party to cover as many utilitarian bases as possible, Krask puts the ring on, granting him the power to persuade simple beasts and convince them that he a good friend.
Drenched to the bone, and absolutely convinced that the ogres are all gone (thanks to a perceptive Trace searching the surrounding darkness for torchlight), Jak suggests that it’s time to deal with the deceased. Theo and Vale’s bodies are brought down and the group follows Jak to the crypt, where the Black Arrows have been buried for centuries. As the party files back into the tunnels, Shalelu pulls Trace aside to ask him what he would do in her situation. Trace ultimately tells her to do what she thinks that she must, but emphasizes that second chances should be given to those who appear to have changed their ways. Especially, he iterates, those who were requesting forgiveness for deeds committed more than a decade ago. Shalelu thanks Trace, but doesn’t seem to commit to reconnecting with Jak or returning home to Sandpoint.
Jak places the body of Vale into an empty niche. Vale is the only Black Arrow not wearing the ceremonial dress of the deceased. At the same time, Barnaby lifts Theo into a similar niche – the only non-Black Arrow to share the stagnant air with the fallen Black Arrows. With a somber tone, Jak says a few choice words about the sacrifice of the two men, before being interrupted by a ghostly shape coalescing from the form of a jumbled pile of dusty bones. With a gruff shriek, the spectre damns the Black Arrows and anybody who allies themselves with the ‘traitorous scum’.
Even though it is incorporeal, the party is able to strategically surround the spectre and avoid its draining grasp. Fyn’s magic missiles are the most effective counterstrike, the with a fading gasp, the spectre of Lorgus Fenker dissipates.
And now, the party agrees, it would be best to take a well-deserved rest. There are many unanswered questions, and dangling threads that need to be investigated. Hopefully the storms don’t wash away any of the more pertinent clues.
Is Kaven really dead? What will Shalelu decide in regards to her estranged father? Will Krask ever remember how to quickly shoot two bolts with a crossbow again?